Origin and Meaning of the Mottoes on the Great Seal of the United States E Pluribus Unum and the original source of this message carried by the American Eagle... Annuit Coeptis and the source of this eye-opening observation... Novus Ordo Seclorum and the source of this bold declaration... Although the 1782 description of the Great Seal does not provide an English translation of the three Latin mottoes, their meaning is made clear in the official explanation of the symbolism – and when their original sources are known. Mottoes originated in early times as a word or phrase that formed a war-cry. Later they became religious or patriotic in nature and were used on seals to complement the imagery that depicted the character of the person or family represented by the seal. The motto on a seal is somewhat like the headline on a print ad, or the slogan on a company logo. Mottoes suggested by the three preliminary design committees: First committee's reverse Rebellion to Tyrants is Obedience to God Second Committee Bello Vel Paci (For war or for peace) Virtute Perennis (Everlasting because of virtue) Third Committee Deo Favente (God favoring) Perennis (Everlasting) Other Sections of GreatSeal.com Preliminary Designs suggested by three committees Myth and Misinformation about the Great Seal Symbols on the obverse and reverse sides Peace as a founding principle Overview | Sightings Front Page